Google Fiber announces 180 qualified fiberhoods, sets approximate rollout schedule

Posted on 14/09/2012 by Richard Lawler

As promised, the complete list of 180 (no more, no less) fiberhoods which qualified for Google Fiber service has been announced. With it, the approximate construction schedule has also been posted online, confirming Hanover Heights in Kansas (October) and Crown Center in Missouri (Spring 2013) will lead off the deployment for their respective areas. If you live in a qualifying area and have not signed up yet, you will be able to sign up or change plans when installations actually begin, which will be October 2nd in Hanover Heights. All of the info about Google's gigabit internet service and how to get it is at the blog and if you're still waffling, remember -- it has ESPN now.

Continue reading Google Fiber announces 180 qualified fiberhoods, sets approximate rollout schedule

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Google Fiber announces 180 qualified fiberhoods, sets approximate rollout schedule originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Fiber announces qualified areas tomorrow, snags ABC channels including ESPN, Disney

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Richard Lawler

The official list of the first "fiberhoods" Google's Gigabit internet + TV service will be available in doesn't come out until tomorrow, but it's already looking like an even more attractive option thanks to a few newly announced channel additions. The team's blog post lists several ABC channels that will be available on the HDTV service, not the least of which is sports giant ESPN, along with ESPN2, Classic, Goal Line, Buzzer Beater, Deportes, ESPNews, Longhorn Network and ESPNU. We've confirmed ESPN3 is also included, while WatchESPN and WatchDisney mobile access is planned for the "near future." Overall it appears that ABC has squeezed its entire bundle including the Disney channels into the lineup (check the list after the break). That may not curry favor with those hoping for some revolutionary a la carte options, but should make switching to the $120 bundle easier for sports fans and families. Check the original launch announcement for more details on the Nexus 7-controlled service that blends standard TV and streaming options if you're pondering a move to Kansas City.

Continue reading Google Fiber announces qualified areas tomorrow, snags ABC channels including ESPN, Disney

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Google Fiber announces qualified areas tomorrow, snags ABC channels including ESPN, Disney originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Fiber gets formal launch, adds Google Fiber TV (update: event video)

Posted on 26/07/2012 by Jon Fingas

Google just kicked its Google Fiber efforts into overdrive. The company's Kansas City effort is getting a full launch and now includes Google Fiber TV -- a "real" TV service with recognizable channels and its own, fully searchable interface that mixes DVR results with Netflix and YouTube. As many as 500 shows can be stored in full 1080p HD, and several TVs within the home can tune in at the same time.. Not surprisingly, there's also a major mobile component taking advantage of that 1Gbps fiber link, as users will have the option of browsing, sharing and eventually watching live TV directly from tablet apps. The company is also promising an ever-evolving service that includes Google+ video hangouts. For hardware, Google has its own dedicated Network Box with a four-port gigabit Ethernet router and 802.11n WiFi, a TV Box with live viewing and a WiFi access point as well as a Storage Box DVR with 2TB of data and the ability to record eight shows at once. Your remote control? A free, bundled Nexus 7 tablet, naturally.

The overall service will come with 1TB of Google Drive space, although it's expensive to get started: there's a $300 "construction fee" (currently being waived) to wire a home for the fiber optics. Three packages will be on offer, starting with a Gigabit + TV package that includes the essentials, all major channels and "hundreds" of fiber channels (plus on-demand content) for $120 a month. Skip traditional TV and it costs $70 a month -- and if you're a local resident willing to pony up the construction free, you can get 5Mbps internet access for free for "at least" seven years. Key institutions are getting the full gigabit access for free, as well. Only small slices of Kansas City in both Missouri and Kansas state should have access at first, but Google is conducting a six-week "rally" where the most people paying a $10 pre-registration fee dictate where Google Fiber goes next. Now if only other cities would go the same route.

Update: The full event replay is available for your inspection after the break.

Gallery: Google Fiber July 26 event